DOCSLIB.ORG

THE INFLUENCE of the DIET of the ARGENTINE STEM WEEVIL, Listronotus

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
THE INFLUENCE of the DIET of the ARGENTINE STEM WEEVIL, Listronotus Lincoln University Digital Thesis Copyright Statement The digital copy of this thesis is protected by the Copyright Act 1994 (New Zealand). This thesis may be consulted by you, provided you comply with the provisions of the Act and the following conditions of use: you will use the copy only for the purposes of research or private study you will recognise the author's right to be identified as the author of the thesis and due acknowledgement will be made to the author where appropriate you will obtain the author's permission before publishing any material from the thesis. Lincoln University Digital Thesis Copyright Statement The digital copy of this thesis is protected by the Copyright Act 1994 (New Zealand). This thesis may be consulted by you, provided you comply with the provisions of the Act and the following conditions of use: you will use the copy only for the purposes of research or private study you will recognise the author's right to be identified as the author of the thesis and due acknowledgement will be made to the author where appropriate you will obtain the author's permission before publishing any material from the thesis. THE INFLUENCE OF THE DIET OF THE ARGENTINE STEM WEEVIL, Listronotus bonariensis (KUSCHEL) (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE) ON THE FITNESS OF ITS P ARASITOID, Microctonus hyperodae LOAN (HYMENOPTERA: BRACONIDAE): PROSPECTS FOR 'INDIRECT' CONSERVATION BIOCONTROL I ._:-l_.;r__ ~'_.:... -:~ A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment .,-,---_ .. of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Applied Science at Lincoln University by Mauricio Alvaro Urrutia Correa Lincoln University 2005 Abstract of a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of M. Appl. Sc. THE INFLUENCE OF THE DIET OF THE ARGENTINE STEM WEEVIL, Listronotus bonariensis (KUSCHEL) (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE) ON THE FITNESS OF ITS P ARASITOID, Microctonus hyperodae LOAN (HYMENOPTERA: BRACONIDAE): PROSPECTS FOR 'INDIRECT' CONSERVATION BIOCONTROL By M. A. Urrutia Correa The Argentine stem weevil, Listronotus bonariensis (Kuschel) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is the most important pest species in New Zealand, costing the pastoral industry an estimated NZ$78-251 m per year (Prestidge et al., 1991). The parasitoid wasp Microctonus hyperodae Loan (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was released in New Zealand in 1991 as a potential biological control agent of the weevil (Goldson et al., 1994). As M hyperodae is a pro­ ovigenic species, its lifetime complement of eggs is set at adult emergence (Phillips, 1998). Adult wasp fitness is likely to be affected by host nutrition, as resources carried over from immature stages to the adult stage of parasitoids can vary with the size and nutritional quality of the host (Jervis et al., 2001). The fecundity of Argentine stem weevil can increase after the addition of pollen to its diet (Evans. and Barratt, 1995). Conversely, a decrease in gonad development (i.e., vitellarium development and percentage of females with oocyte resorption) can occur after consumption of ryegrass containing endophyte (Barker and Addison, 1996). This research investigates tri-trophic-Ievel interactions on parasitoid fitness (i.e., egg load and body size) by assessing field-collected adult weevils, and by providing bee-collected pollen, buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench cv. Katowase) pollen, ryegrass-only (Lolium multiflorum L. cv. Tama) , or ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lambrechtsen cv. Aries) containing endophyte (Neotyphodium lolii (Latch, Christensen and Samuels) Glenn, Bacon and Hanlin in the host diet in the laboratory. A survey was conducted in the Lincoln area to what extent pollen was part of the diet of field­ collected Argentine stem weevils. The frequency and types of pollen grains consumed were ii analysed. Also, gut fullness (in terms of ryegrass particle content), parasitoid larval presence, weevil gender and weevil gonad development were also assessed. Argentine stem weevil adults fed on pollen in the field, although a low proportion of them contained pollen in their gut. Gonad development was positively correlated with the extent of pollen consumption (i.e., number of individuals with sexually mature gonads). A cage experiment was conducted in the laboratory. Potentially parasitised adult Argentine stem weevils were collected from ryegrass on roadsides in the Lincoln area during 2004. They were randomly allocated to four treatments: ryegrass-only (control), ryegrass plus bee­ collected pollen, ryegrass plus buckwheat pollen, and ryegrass with endophyte, each replicated four times. Water was provided in every treatment. The parasitoids that emerged were assessed for size (i.e., hind leg tibial length) and potential fecundity (i.e., egg load) (see Phillips and Baird, 2001). Despite the fact that the addition of bee-collected or buckwheat pollen to the host diet had no significant effect on the number of adult parasitoids emerged, their body size or egg load (P > 0.05), some factors that could have affected a potentially positive correlation between parasitoid fitness and pollen consumption are discussed. Similarly, the addition of ryegrass with endophyte had no significant effect on the number of adult parasitoids emerged, their body size or egg load (P > 0.05). This leads to the suggestion that biological control (i.e., M hyperodae) and plant resistance (i.e., endophyte) strategies can work in a complementary way in integrated pest management programmes. The concept of benefiting the third trophic level with 'resource subsidies' made available selectively to the second level has the potential to lead to the suggestion of a new mechanism for enhancing parasitoid fitness, that is 'indirect' conservation biocontrol. Keywords: Argentine stem weevil, Listronotus bonariensis, Microctonus hyperodae, ryegrass, buckwheat, pollen, endophyte, conservation biological control, tri-trophic interactions. iii To my wife and daughters .. ......... , " ......... far from being a purely passive victim, obliterated without a trace, the host is often able to impress its mark ...... upon the insect parasitoid that destroys it" (Salt, 1941 ). iv Acknowledgements I would like to thank my wife Denise for her constant support and advice. Thanks as well to my daughters Valentina and Magdalena, who despite their young age allowed Daddy to read, write and think during those peak times. Thanks as well to the NZAID scholarship granted by the New Zealand Government for the opportunity to study this Master's Degree. Also I would like to thank my supervisor, Professor Steve Wratten, from Lincoln University for his unconditional professional and personal support. Thanks also to my co-supervisor, Craig Phillips, from AgResearch for sharing his expertise. Thanks as well to Bruce Chapman from Lincoln University, for his generous knowledge and important contribution in this Masters Degree. Many thanks also' to Mark Wade for his technical and intellectual contribution to this thesis. Also, thanks to David Baird, from AgResearch for his help in the statistical analysis of the data. Also thanks to Neville Moar from Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research for his help in the pollen identification. Finally, thanks to all the staff and students aligned to the National Centre for Advanced Bio-Protection Technologies who helped me in several aspects of the present work. v Contents Page Abstract / keywords 11 Acknowledgements v Contents VI Tables x Figures x Plates X111 Chapter 1: General Introduction 1 Biological control background 1 The Argentine stem weevil and current control practices background 3 Argentine stem weevil 3 Graminaceous crops and Argentine stem weevil in New Zealand 3 Management tools for Argentine stem weevil 6 Chemical control 6 Cultural control 6 Plant resistance 7 Biological control 8 Goal and Objectives 12 Hypotheses 12 Chapter 2: Gut contents of field-collected Argentine stem weevils 13 Introduction 13 Materials and Methods 14 1. Pollen content 14 2. Ryegrass particle content 15 vi 3. Gonad development in Argentine stem weevil 15 4. Parasitism 17 5. Statistical analyses 17 Results 17 Pollen content 17 Amount of pollen in the weevils' gut 17 Effects of pollen consumption on gonad development 19 Types of pollen 22 Ryegrass particle content 24 Parasitism 25 Effects of parasitism on weevils' gonad development and rye grass intake 25 Discussion 28 Pollen content 28 Argentine stem weevil diet breadth 28 Quantity of pollen in the weevils' gut 28 Effects of pollen consumption on gonad development 29 Types of pollen 32 Ryegrass particle content 34 Parasitism 35 Effects of parasitism on weevils' gonad development and ryegrass intake 36 Chapter 3: Effects of host diet on components of fitness of Microctonus hyperodae Loan 38 Introduction 38 Materials and Methods 40 Experiment 1 40 1. Experiment set up 40 vii 2. Rearing plants for Argentine stem weevil in experiment 1 40 3. Argentine stem weevil cages 40 4. Parasitoid morphological measurement 41 5. Quantifying egg load of the parasitoids 41 Experiment 2 43 6. Experiment set up 43 7. Methods during and after exposure to parasitoids 44 8. Rearing plants for Argentine stem weevil in experiment 2 45 9. Gonad development in the Argentine stem weevil 45 10. Gut fullness of the Argentine stem weevil 46 11. Exposure of weevils to adult parasitoids 47 12. Statistical analyses 47 Results 47 Experiment 1 47 Parasitoid tibia length and egg load 47 Experiment 2 50 Diet consumption by the weevil 50 Survival and fitness-related data of Argentine stem weevil 52 Components of fitness of the parasitoid 56 Number of adult parasitoids emerged 60 Discussion 60 Experiment 1 61 Parasitoid body size and egg load 61 Experiment 2 63 Diet consumption by the weevil 63 Survival and fitness of Argentine stem weevil 65 viii Fitness of the parasitoid 68 Number of adult parasitoids emerged 72 Chapter 4: General discussion 75 The host's mark 75 Implications on biological control 77 Selectivity issues 78 Is there room for improvement? 78 References 80 ix Tables Page Table 1. Combination of treatments of experiment 2 43 Table 2. The relationship between tibia length and egg load for parasitoids emerged from weevils fed with four treatments 58 Table 3.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Intensified Agriculture Favors Evolved Resistance to Biological Control
    Intensified agriculture favors evolved resistance to biological control Federico Tomasettoa,1, Jason M. Tylianakisb,c, Marco Realed, Steve Wrattene, and Stephen L. Goldsona,e aAgResearch Ltd., Christchurch 8140, New Zealand; bCentre for Integrative Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand; cDepartment of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7PY, United Kingdom; dSchool of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand; and eBio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand Edited by May R. Berenbaum, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, IL, and approved February 14, 2017 (received for review November 6, 2016) Increased regulation of chemical pesticides and rapid evolution of source–sink evolutionary dynamics whereby vulnerable genotypes pesticide resistance have increased calls for sustainable pest are maintained by immigration from refuges (16). In addition, management. Biological control offers sustainable pest suppres- combinations of different enemy species may exert separate se- sion, partly because evolution of resistance to predators and lective pressures, and thereby prevent the pest from evolving re- parasitoids is prevented by several factors (e.g., spatial or tempo- sistance to any single enemy across its entire range (17). ral refuges from attacks, reciprocal evolution by control agents, However, these mechanisms that prevent resistance to biological and contrasting selection pressures from other enemy species). control could in theory be undermined in large-scale homoge- However, evolution of resistance may become more probable as neous agricultural systems, which may have few refuges to sustain agricultural intensification reduces the availability of refuges and susceptible strains of the pest, low variability in attack rates, and diversity of enemy species, or if control agents have genetic low biodiversity of enemy species (9).
    [Show full text]
  • Coleoptera) (Excluding Anthribidae
    A FAUNAL SURVEY AND ZOOGEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF THE CURCULIONOIDEA (COLEOPTERA) (EXCLUDING ANTHRIBIDAE, PLATPODINAE. AND SCOLYTINAE) OF THE LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY OF TEXAS A Thesis TAMI ANNE CARLOW Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE August 1997 Major Subject; Entomology A FAUNAL SURVEY AND ZOOGEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF THE CURCVLIONOIDEA (COLEOPTERA) (EXCLUDING ANTHRIBIDAE, PLATYPODINAE. AND SCOLYTINAE) OF THE LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY OF TEXAS A Thesis by TAMI ANNE CARLOW Submitted to Texas AgcM University in partial fulltllment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Approved as to style and content by: Horace R. Burke (Chair of Committee) James B. Woolley ay, Frisbie (Member) (Head of Department) Gilbert L. Schroeter (Member) August 1997 Major Subject: Entomology A Faunal Survey and Zoogeographic Analysis of the Curculionoidea (Coleoptera) (Excluding Anthribidae, Platypodinae, and Scolytinae) of the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. (August 1997) Tami Anne Carlow. B.S. , Cornell University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Horace R. Burke An annotated list of the Curculionoidea (Coleoptem) (excluding Anthribidae, Platypodinae, and Scolytinae) is presented for the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of Texas. The list includes species that occur in Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Wigacy counties. Each of the 23S species in 97 genera is tteated according to its geographical range. Lower Rio Grande distribution, seasonal activity, plant associations, and biology. The taxonomic atTangement follows O' Brien &, Wibmer (I og2). A table of the species occuning in patxicular areas of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, such as the Boca Chica Beach area, the Sabal Palm Grove Sanctuary, Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park, and the Falcon Dam area is included.
    [Show full text]
  • Volume 42, Number 2 June 2015
    Wisconsin Entomological Society N e w s I e t t e r Volume 42, Number 2 June 2015 Monitoring and Management - A That is, until volunteer moth surveyor, Steve Sensible Pairing Bransky, came onto the scene. Steve had By Beth Goeppinger, Wisconsin Department done a few moth and butterfly surveys here ofN atural Resources and there on the property. But that changed in 2013. Armed with mercury vapor lights, Richard Bong State Recreation Area is a bait and a Wisconsin scientific collector's heavily used 4,515 acre property in the permit, along with our permission, he began Wisconsin State Park system. It is located in surveying in earnest. western Kenosha County. The area is oak woodland, savanna, wetland, sedge meadow, He chose five sites in woodland, prairie and old field and restored and remnant prairie. savanna habitats. He came out many nights Surveys of many kinds and for many species in the months moths might be flying. After are done on the property-frog and toad, finding that moth populations seemed to drift fence, phenology, plants, ephemeral cycle every 3-5 days, he came out more ponds, upland sandpiper, black tern, frequently. His enthusiasm, dedication and grassland and marsh birds, butterfly, small never-ending energy have wielded some mammal, waterfowl, muskrat and wood surprising results. Those results, in turn, ducks to name a few. Moths, except for the have guided us in our habitat management showy and easy-to-identify species, have practices. been ignored. Of the 4,500 moth species found in the state, Steve has confirmed close to 1,200 on the property, and he isn't done yet! He found one of the biggest populations of the endangered Papaipema silphii moths (Silphium borer) in the state as well as 36 species of Catocola moths (underwings), them.
    [Show full text]
  • Genetic Diversity in Invasive Populations of Argentine Stem Weevil Associated with Adaptation to Biocontrol
    insects Article Genetic Diversity in Invasive Populations of Argentine Stem Weevil Associated with Adaptation to Biocontrol Thomas W. R. Harrop 1,* , Marissa F. Le Lec 1 , Ruy Jauregui 2 , Shannon E. Taylor 1, Sarah N. Inwood 1 , Tracey van Stijn 3, Hannah Henry 3, John Skelly 1, Siva Ganesh 2 , Rachael L. Ashby 3 , Jeanne M. E. Jacobs 4,5 , Stephen L. Goldson 4,5 and Peter K. Dearden 1 1 Genomics Aotearoa and Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, Aotearoa, New Zealand; [email protected] (M.F.L.L.); [email protected] (S.E.T.); [email protected] (S.N.I.); [email protected] (J.S.); [email protected] (P.K.D.) 2 AgResearch, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand; [email protected] (R.J.); [email protected] (S.G.) 3 AgResearch, Invermay Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, New Zealand; [email protected] (T.v.S.); [email protected] (H.H.); [email protected] (R.L.A.) 4 AgResearch, Lincoln Science Centre, Private Bag 4749, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand; [email protected] (J.M.E.J.); [email protected] (S.L.G.) 5 Bio-Protection Research Centre, PO Box 85084, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 5 June 2020; Accepted: 4 July 2020; Published: 14 July 2020 Abstract: Modified, agricultural landscapes are susceptible to damage by insect pests. Biological control of pests is typically successful once a control agent has established, but this depends on the agent’s capacity to co-evolve with the host.
    [Show full text]
  • Final Risk Analysis Report for the Release of Listronotus Appendiculatus for the Biological Control of Sagittaria Platyphylla and Sagittaria Calycina July 2020
    Final risk analysis report for the release of Listronotus appendiculatus for the biological control of Sagittaria platyphylla and Sagittaria calycina July 2020 © Commonwealth of Australia 2020 Ownership of intellectual property rights Unless otherwise noted, copyright (and any other intellectual property rights, if any) in this publication is owned by the Commonwealth of Australia (referred to as the Commonwealth). Creative Commons licence All material in this publication is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia Licence, save for content supplied by third parties, photographic images, logos and the Commonwealth Coat of Arms. Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia Licence is a standard form licence agreement that allows you to copy, distribute, transmit and adapt this publication provided you attribute the work. A summary of the licence terms is available from creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/deed.en. The full licence terms are available from creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/legalcode. Inquiries about the licence and any use of this document should be sent to [email protected]. This publication (and any material sourced from it) should be attributed as: Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment 2020, Final risk analysis report for the release of Listronotus appendiculatus for the biological control of Sagittaria platyphylla and Sagittaria calycina. CC BY 3.0 Cataloguing data Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment 2020, Final risk analysis report for the release of Listronotus appendiculatus for the biological control of Sagittaria platyphylla and Sagittaria calycina, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Canberra. This publication is available at agriculture.gov.au.
    [Show full text]
  • Effects of Mowing on Annual Bluegrass Weevil
    The Pennsylvania State University The Graduate School College of Agricultural Sciences EFFECTS OF MOWING ON ANNUAL BLUEGRASS WEEVIL, LISTRONOTUS MACULICOLLIS KIRBY (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE) ADULT BEHAVIOR AND LARVAL DEVELOPMENT IN GOLF COURSE PUTTING GREENS A Thesis in Agronomy by Benjamin D. Czyzewski © 2016 Benjamin D. Czyzewski Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science December 2016 The thesis of Benjamin D. Czyzewski was reviewed and approved* by the following: Benjamin A. McGraw Associate Professor of Turfgrass Science Thesis Adviser Peter J. Landschoot Associate Professor of Turfgrass Science Director of Graduate Studies in Agronomy Maxim J. Schlossberg Associate Professor of Turfgrass Science Edwin G. Rajotte Professor of Entomology *Signatures are on file in the Graduate School ii Abstract The annual bluegrass weevil (Listronotus maculicollis Kirby) is the most destructive insect pest of low-mown golf course turf in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic United States, and southeastern Canada. Golf course superintendents rely heavily on chemical controls, particularly on high-valued turf areas such as fairways, tees, greens, and their immediate surrounds (collars). These areas, particularly putting greens, are of the highest value to the course and the game of golf. Therefore, multiple insecticide applications, targeting both adults and larvae, are made throughout the year, often using the same insecticide classes. The overuse of insecticides, particularly the pyrethroids, has resulted in an increase in insecticide-resistant populations, and a dire need to develop alternative control strategies. I investigated the effect that cultural practices have on L. maculicollis survival, behavior, and development in golf course putting greens to determine if populations may be reduced in these areas without synthetic insecticides and to develop Best Management Practices (BMPs) for putting greens.
    [Show full text]
  • Investigation Into Listronotus Maculicollis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a Pest of Highly Maintained Turfgrass
    University of Massachusetts Amherst ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst Doctoral Dissertations 1896 - February 2014 1-1-2003 Investigation into Listronotus maculicollis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a pest of highly maintained turfgrass. Nikki L. Rothwell University of Massachusetts Amherst Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations_1 Recommended Citation Rothwell, Nikki L., "Investigation into Listronotus maculicollis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a pest of highly maintained turfgrass." (2003). Doctoral Dissertations 1896 - February 2014. 5680. https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations_1/5680 This Open Access Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctoral Dissertations 1896 - February 2014 by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INVESTIGATION INTO LISTRONOTUS MAGMLICOLLIS (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE), A PEST OF HIGHLY MAINTAINED TURFGRASS A Dissertation Presented by NIKKI LYNN ROTHWBLL Submitted to the Graduate School of the University of Massachusetts Amherst in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY May 2003 Department of Entomology © Copyright by Nikki Rothwell 2003 All Rights Reserved INVESTIGATION INTO LISTRONOTUS MACULICOLLIS (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE), A PEST OF HIGHLY MAINTAINED TURFGRASS A Dissertation Presented by NIKKI LYNN ROTHWELL Approved as to style and content by: PcdkuxA. i V ctlMjrn. Pat Vittum, Chair / L ■ Gail Schumann, Member Roy Van Driesche, Department Chair, Entomology DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to my gramma, Norma B. Rollet, for her unfaltering belief that I could conquer the world if I set my mind to it. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to convey my gratitude to my advisor, Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Olfactory Responses of Argentine Stem Weevil to Herbivory and Endophyte‑Colonisation in Perennial Ryegrass
    Journal of Pest Science https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-021-01375-2 ORIGINAL PAPER Olfactory responses of Argentine stem weevil to herbivory and endophyte‑colonisation in perennial ryegrass Louise M. Hennessy1,2 · Alison J. Popay1 · Travis R. Glare2 · Sarah C. Finch1 · Vanessa M. Cave1 · Michael Rostás2,3 Received: 10 November 2020 / Revised: 27 March 2021 / Accepted: 3 April 2021 © The Author(s) 2021 Abstract Argentine stem weevil adults (ASW, Listronotus bonariensis) feed on the leaves of agricultural grasses and their larvae mine the pseudostem, causing extensive damage that can result in plant death. Plants emit volatiles that serve as signals to host-searching insects and these odours can be altered by both herbivory and fungal endophyte-infection. This study investigated whether ASW adults utilise olfaction to identify their host plants, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), and if conspecifc herbivory or the presence of Epichloë festucae var. lolii fungal endophytes (strain wild-type or AR1) infuenced such responses. Results from olfactometer bioassays established that ASW adults were able to utilise their olfactory response to orient towards volatiles released by perennial ryegrass and further, the weevils displayed a preference for plants previ- ously damaged by conspecifc weevils. However, there was no evidence that weevils had the ability to distinguish between endophyte-infected and endophyte-free plants using olfaction alone. Using a push–pull extraction technique, thirteen volatile compounds were identifed in the blend released by perennial ryegrass. Endophyte and herbivory were found to alter these volatile compounds and quantities emitted by this forage grass. This study suggests that despite observing diferences in the plant volatile blend, ASW do not perceive endophyte (wild-type and AR1) using olfaction alone and must rely on other cues, e.g.
    [Show full text]
  • Argentine Stem Weevil Cont’
    Nuturf Tech Bulletin Argentine Stem Weevil Argentine Stem Weevil The Argentine Stem Weevil (Listronotus bonariensis) or ASW is as the name suggests an immigrant from South America. According to the CSIRO, the Argentine stem weevil is now well established in NSW, ACT, VIC, SA, TAS and WA. QLD and the NT are not confirmed. In the larval stages they are a serious pest of cool season turf such as Poa annua and to a lesser extent Agrostis stolonifera. In New Zealand, they are not only a serious problem in cool season turfgrass but a serious pest of pasture grass, where left unchecked they can destroy large areas of otherwise good grazing land for livestock. Basic identifying features of an adult weevil are as follows; • Small size, between approximately 3 and 3.5mm in length. • They, like other beetles have a hard exoskeleton. • Elytra (Wing covers) are often a dusty brown colour. • Like all beetles and other insects, the adult has 6 legs. • A small snout is present at the front of the head capsule. • They can be very mobile within the grass canopy. Picture: Albert Leggett © 2011 The adult weevil life span has been observed ranging between 62- 179 days. When they first emerge as a young adult, they tend to be a lighter grey brown colour however, as they age, they become darker in Figure 1. An adult stem weevil in a Poa colour and sometimes end up as almost black. and Agrostis spp mixed golf green. Whilst the adult beetles do have wings, it is believed that they usually tend to walk rather than fly.
    [Show full text]
  • Severe Insect Pest Impacts on New Zealand Pasture: the Plight of an Ecological Outlier
    Journal of Insect Science, (2020) 20(2): 17; 1–17 doi: 10.1093/jisesa/ieaa018 Review Severe Insect Pest Impacts on New Zealand Pasture: The Plight of an Ecological Outlier Stephen L. Goldson,1,2,9, Gary M. Barker,3 Hazel M. Chapman,4 Alison J. Popay,5 Alan V. Stewart,6 John R. Caradus,7 and Barbara I. P. Barratt8 1AgResearch, Private Bag 4749, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand, 2Bio-Protection Research Centre, P.O. Box 85084, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand, 3Landcare Research, P.O. Box 69040, Lincoln 7640, New Zealand, 4School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, PB 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand, 5AgResearch, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North, New Zealand, 6PPG Wrightson Seeds, P.O. Box 69175, Lincoln Christchurch 7640, New Zealand, 7Grasslanz Technology Ltd., Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand, 8AgResearch, Invermay Agricultural Centre, PB 50034, Mosgiel, New Zealand, and 9Corresponding author, e-mail: [email protected] Subject Editor: Louis Hesler Received 17 November 2019; Editorial decision 8 March 2020 Abstract New Zealand’s intensive pastures, comprised almost entirely introduced Lolium L. and Trifolium L. species, are arguably the most productive grazing-lands in the world. However, these areas are vulnerable to destructive invasive pest species. Of these, three of the most damaging pests are weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) that have relatively recently been controlled by three different introduced parasitoids, all belonging to the genus Microctonus Wesmael (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Arguably that these introduced parasitoids have been highly effective is probably because they, like many of the exotic pest species, have benefited from enemy release.
    [Show full text]
  • Diagnostic Protocol
    Diagnostic Protocol Rice water weevil Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Information prepared by Rolf Oberprierler & Ben Boyd CSIRO Entomology, Canberra ACT, 2601 December 2004 (reviewed 2008) The scientific and technical content of this document is current to the date published and all efforts were made to obtain relevant and published information on the pest. New information will be included as it becomes available, or when the document is reviewed. The material contained in this publication is produced for general information only. It is not intended as professional advice on any particular matter. No person should act or fail to act on the basis of any material contained in this publication without first obtaining specific, independent professional advice. Plant Health Australia and all persons acting for Plant Health Australia in preparing this publication, expressly disclaim all and any liability to any persons in respect of anything done by any such person in reliance, whether in whole or in part, on this publication. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Plant Health Australia. Introduction (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Erirhininae) The name “Rice Water Weevil” applies both to a particular species of weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel, which is one of the most serious pests of cultivated rice (Oryza sativa) in the world, and to a larger group of similar weevils that live on aquatic grasses in the New World and are real or potential rice pests as well. While this protocol deals specifically with L. oryzophilus, the diagnostic key makes provision also for recognising other relevant rice water weevils at group and genus level, so as to facilitate their detection at ports of entry in Australia and the taking of appropriate steps to prevent them from establishing in the country.
    [Show full text]
  • Sheep Nutrition Ch 15 7/17/02 4:00 PM Page 333
    sheep nutrition Ch 15 7/17/02 4:00 PM Page 333 15 Deleterious Substances in Grazed Pastures G.C. WAGHORN1, N.R. ADAMS2 AND D.R. WOODFIELD1 1AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand; 2CSIRO Livestock Industries, Wembley, Western Australia, Australia Deleterious substances can reduce the nutritive value (NV) of a forage or pasture for grazing animals. These substances are often toxins, which increase mortality, decrease productivity or reduce the quality or whole- some nature of animal products and hence toxins can be deleterious to the animal, the consumer or both. The range of toxic substances is extensive, especially in native or unimproved forages or shrubs. Improved pastures, the main focus of this chapter, also have diverse toxins from fungal (myco- toxins), plant (phytotoxins) and bacterial origins. In addition to affecting sheep, many toxins also affect cattle and non-ruminants. This chapter reviews forage toxins from a grazing perspective, identifies some major causes of ill health and poor productivity in sheep, considers the impact of intensive grazing practices upon their incidence and discusses the role of the rumen and tissues in altering the toxicology of some com- pounds. The list of substances that are deleterious to sheep is extensive. It is also important to appreciate that, even in improved pastures, ingestion of weed species can occur, especially in times of feed deficit. Two main categories of toxins will be considered in some detail; fungal alkaloids, associated with temperate grasses, and oestrogenic compounds, often associated with clovers. Consideration will also be given to photosen- sitizing agents, cyanogens, phenolic compounds (tannins), bloat and nitrite − (NO2) poisoning.
    [Show full text]